Angel

One from the back catalogue - 13/10/2005.

This was inspired by the short story "The Thirteenth Century Angel" in the book "Don Camillo and the Prodigal Son" by Giovanni Guareschi

Angel

At the top of the bell tower, high above
The angel looks down on all with love
And how it came to be, no one knows
It gazes down upon green meadows
Keeping its secret still, its special smile
Of how it came to be, perhaps in guile

In twelve fifty-nine, came a craftsman
With faith, he set forth to bring a plan
To fruition, and by the work of his hand
Sculptured the stone to protect the land
And gave him to his patron, who knew
That here was wonder carved to view.

Five hundred years later, by river bank
A church was built, that all could thank
The Lord for his mercy on all the world
For adjoining tower too, plans unfurled
But one thing was missing, a sign to see
Of the protection of the angel yet to be.

Then from the ruins of an older building
Villagers found an angel, without gilding
But with a simplicity of form and beauty
Upon the bell tower, they placed it to see
And turn the gale, and still the lightening
By its presence, bring God’s brightening.

Famine and plague and war all passed by
Bells of mourning, time to weep and sigh
And bells of joy, time to rejoice and praise
All passed under the protection of your gaze
You watch and listen, as our bell now rings
Centuries of joy and sorrow in your wings.